POLITICAL heavyweights have joined forces to put pressure on Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to open another public inquiry into plans for Britain's first underground waste dump.

Minosus wants to dump toxic waste down Winsford Rock Salt Mine in the heart of Mid Cheshire - and it won the right to go ahead with its scheme after a public inquiry in November 2001.

But a technicality meant permission was quashed.

The company remains confident its plans will get the green light and has reapplied for the right to dump waste down Number Four Shaft in Jack Lane, Moulton.

Protesters want a further inquiry to be opened - and now Eddisbury MP Stephen O'Brien and North West MEP Dennis Dover have added their weight to the fight.

The Tories, who spoke out against the scheme at the original inquiry, have written to Mr Prescott pushing for another inquiry.

Mr O'Brien said: 'It is absolutely vital that the Deputy Prime Minister listens to the voices of local people and takes on board the serious concerns raised by myself and Dennis Dover when we gave evidence on behalf of local people at the public inquiry into the toxic dump proposals back in 2001.

'The only way those concerns can be addressed is through a new inquiry at the same venue and which can be attended by those who were entitled to give evidence at the first inquiry.

'At the first inquiry both of us argued that there was inadequate information about the type and volume of toxic waste which could be dumped via Shaft Four and the Jack Lane en-trance in the mine's worked-out areas.

'We both stated that the use of the salt mines for the dumping of toxic waste was unprecedented in the UK and that we had serious reservations about storage conditions and the risks associated with spillage and deterioration.

'We believe that both the original inquiry and the Deputy Prime Minister failed to give these important points the serious consideration they merited when he granted permission in 2001 and, in doing so, was attempting to steamroller the decision through.

'We will continue to work with Residents Against Mine Pollution, local parish councillors and the residents of Moulton, Davenham and Winsford in our efforts to ensure that the genuine environmental and human safety concerns raised by local people are properly heard, examined and investigated.'